A 4-Rotor, 12,000rpm & 505whp Street RX-3
Secret E-Mails

Coming from a country where even twin-rotor cars are a rare sight, the term ‘quad-rotor’ was up until quite recently something on almost a mythical level for me.

We’ve all sought out the videos online, whether it be the legendary Le Mans 787B or one of the many, many Mad Mike clips, just to experience what is arguably one of the most glorious automotive sounds. If you’ve only heard it via video and not in person, there’s always going to be that doubt in your mind that maybe it’s one of those things that might not live up to the hype. At least, that was always the doubt in my mind.

Before I visited Australia for Fitted Friday earlier this year, by chance, I received a message from a Speedhunters reader asking if we were interested in shooting his car. Typically, when a message comes in from the other side of the planet we would pass it off to someone a little bit more local, but in this case I decided to keep the e-mail for myself. You see, this wasn’t just any old feature car suggestion…

2016 Mazda RX3 Savanna 4 Rotor by Paddy McGrath-2

Fast forward a few weeks and one hell of a longhaul flight and I found myself in some industrial area in the passenger seat of SAVANA, a 26B-powered Mazda RX-3 coupe. I’ll tell you this much, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a car where at 4,000rpm it’s so lumpy that you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s going to cut out. With one eye on the tachometer, I watched the needle absolutely scream far beyond anything I’ve ever personally experienced inside a car. The only comparison I can possibly make is when I visited Spa in 2013 for the last V8-era Formula 1 race to be held at the Belgian circuit.

Let me remove any doubt that some of you who are still waiting to hear a 26B in action: it’s even better than you can imagine.

2016 Mazda RX3 Savanna 4 Rotor by Paddy McGrath-1

This is not a car that has been built on a whim for a quick automotive fix. The RX-3 has been in Telly Pieratos’ family since 1980, and he’s owned it for the last 30 years. It’s hard to imagine the Mazda as anything but its ultimate evolution after its RP Customs 2015 build, although you’d be forgiven for not realising its potential as it sits stationary at the side of the street with its engine switched off.

It’s a humble looking car from the outside. There are no ‘tells’, so to speak, of the performance it’s capable of. With 505hp at the rear wheels and a personal best of a 10.6-second quarter-mile (on drag slicks), it’s plenty capable too.

The party piece is a Curran Bros. Racing quad-rotor 26B with a custom billet shaft and peripheral ported rotor housings. There’s EFI Hardware throttle bodies with a custom CBR intake manifold on the inlet side and a custom 4-into-1 4-inch exhaust system, while fuelling is taken care of with eight ID1000 injectors, custom fuel rails and three Walbro in-tank pumps in a custom fuel cell. Ignition is handled by Bosch coils, RP Customs race leads and an RP Customs big amp alternator.

A Microtech LT16C is responsible for engine management, with a custom alloy radiator and oil cooler along with a Meziere water pump to keep things cool. That’s not all, either. In the engine bay you’ll also find a custom dry sump tank, a Peterson oil pump, custom catch can and custom in-house Hammertime wiring.

2016 Mazda RX3 Savanna 4 Rotor by Paddy McGrath-11

Typically, when you hear the words ‘Australia’ and ‘RX-3′ you instantly add ‘Simmons’ to the equation. It’s no secret that the Australians love to represent their home brand when it comes to wheels, but the manner in which they typically do is pretty unique in the styling stakes. Telly has managed to represent with the simple mesh-style, three-piece V5, which gives the car a subtle JDM look whilst still being proudly Australian.

2016 Mazda RX3 Savanna 4 Rotor by Paddy McGrath-3

It’s probably inside the car that gives you the most amount of clues as to SAVANA‘s potential, although it’s still reserved. A half weld-in rollcage with door bars and harnesses slung over the factory RX-3 seats is the first observation, but around the steering column reside a large Auto Meter Sport-Comp tachometer, an Innovate air/fuel ratio gauge and a Microtech digital dash. It’s all very much in keeping with the understated theme of the car.

2016 Mazda RX3 Savanna 4 Rotor by Paddy McGrath-28

I guess that when you reside in a country like Australia where custom cars are often looked at negatively, then sometimes you don’t really have much choice but to choose the subdued path. In this case though, it’s worked in Telly’s favour. The Savanna green bodywork perfectly suits the short and muscular nature of the Mazda coupe; its original style has been perfectly retained.

It’s only when the car barks into life that it begins to show its more sinister side. At part throttle it’s only just anti-social, but once opened up, there’s absolutely no mistaking the famous 26B scream as the small Mazda vanishes into the distance.

It rarely, if ever, gets any better than this.

Paddy McGrath
Instagram: pmcgphotos
Twitter: pmcgphotos
paddy@speedhunters.com

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1

Rachel responded  that anyone able to earn  a large amountin one month on the computer 
see more at----------->>> http://tinyurl.com/Usatoday01

2

my Aunty  got an almost new white Lexus IS   C Convertible from only  working  part  time online.
see more at----------->>> http://tinyurl.com/Usatoday01

3

What a Beautiful Machine !

4

Dang it, I am at work right now and I don't want to get in trouble for turning on the speakers, guess I will have to wait until I get home

5

I had no idea Simmons made wheels smaller than 19''.  Mind blown.

6

"It rarely, if ever, gets any better than this."
Ok, name these occasions.

7

Madness, I still can't think of anything that sounds better than a 4 rotor. It's just unfair...

8

sweet fancy moses
what a sound
did not expect it to sound like a 787b!

9

MY GOD. Watched that video ando my jaw dropped... That thing is fucking awesome!!!!!

11

Did not expect a 4-Rotor swap in something that looks so clean and subtle...

12

this car is just perfect in everyway. from the outside it looks almost tame, you can tell that it has had some work done, but 500Hp and a 4-rotor? its insane. i think this does count as a sleeper.... that is untill you wake it up

13

kmcollins_jr Let the office know your true passion! Just tell them that there are bees in your office :)

14

wow , incredible engine! the sound is so glorious!

15

Slappy_Pistons the original symmons were 3 piece design and in smaller sizes, the company went broke and was brought and thats when the over the top sizes were made. i personally prefer the smaller sizes and designs

16

I'm sorry, but I just don't like the way that Australians modify their cars..

17

Amazing, thanks for the video clip Paddy, nice to see an aussie modified car that isn't on 20 inch rims. Love the subtle green and gold "australian" colourway

18

like Pauline explained I didnt know that any one can make $6643 in one month on the internet . read

19

Neighbours are upset I suppose

20

my Aunty Violet recently got a nice six-month old Nissan 370Z NISMO from only workin part-time on a home pc... see it here=====net.pro70­­.ℭomllllllll

21

EvolveWRC Constantly. When Telly's friend started the car before leaving, pretty much immediately a guy came out from a business several doors down to complain about the noise.

22

I can always respect a well built rotor engine. This is a perfect example and definitely an inspiration for me. Great article and great build.

23

Wheel selection ruins so many Australian builds but this car is pretty much spot on.

24

@Nick Care to elaborate?

25

Slappy_Pistons They used to make 13" upwards...

26

what Clarence said I'm in shock that a person able to get paid $6196 in four weeks on the internet .see it here=====report55­­.ℭomllllllll

27

All of my yes. Yes x infinity.

28

@timmy201 Slappy_Pistons  Tempe tyres / Simmons wheels still make 15inch B45 and V5 variants.

29

NICKCEFFY Slappy_Pistons  Look at it from a business point of view. You could retire just from selling 19 inch plus sizes of the FR design.

30

my Aunty Nora just got BMW 5 Series Hybrid from only workin parttime on a pc at home

31

One of the Best Wankel sounds i´ve ever heard in person, came out of a 3-rotored swap on a catherham, that was amazing, but a Quad-rotor RX!!! that high rev sound is impresive!!!

32

I've heard many Rotaries at YT, but THIS is ANGRIEST ever!
https://youtu.be/crGZC4BSPdQ?t=46s

33

Australia loves their angry cars.

34

Thanks for showcasing this awesome machine. I was amazed when it made the same sounds as the 787 racer! What transmission did they use in this build?

35

Sublime build.

36

@RJC786 Because Straya !

37

So cool to see an Rx-3 like this...

38

@Matiz Jesus H Christ, that's insane!

39

Hurst shifter! I've always wanted to install this in a Japanese car. One day..

40

Folly dares will be defeated cleverness hesitation.



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41

That is a properly well built car... and that sound is ungodly! I love it!

42

Redbul car park drift @morocco
video (full hd + slowmotion)
https://youtu.be/8TcopJDtn34

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